CassaFire review

Blurb:
From the Amazon best-selling author - CassaStar was just the beginning… The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather. The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange mental abilities. To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

My review:
War hero and star pilot Byron is keeping his word to his former mentor. It's boring on the exploration ship, but at least he's content. Alien ruins are found on the planet of Tgren, and Byron's people are working to decode them. They form an alliance with the Tgren people, but it's shaky at best, especially with the fact some of the Tgrens are developing mental powers. The Cassans are helping them learn about their new abilities, but one young woman's powers may even rival Byron's. He's assigned to teach Athee, but all he wants is to be left alone. Yet she may be exactly what Byron needs.

A well-written and solid science-fiction tale. It has all the great elements of the first book, CassaStar. New worlds, comradery, and a sense of wonder. Byron is still a compelling character. Though older and wiser, he still has a sense of mischief and a love for flying. Athee tests his resolve. She's a strong and admirable woman, and reminds me of Byron a lot when he was young. I was unsure if there would be a romantic relationship at the beginning, but it moved at a slow natural pace. I also thoroughly enjoyed Byron's friendship with a young scientist and how their relationship evolved.

CassaFire isn't as much about the battles as the previous book. It's about people. And the immense dread hanging over their heads when something happens at the ruins!

You can find Alex J. Cavanaugh online here: Blog * Twitter * Goodreads

Purchase links for CassaFire: Amazon * B&N